GESTALT

These three images above illustrate examples of the Gestalt theory.

Above are a few examples of student work using a Gestalt concept.

Try and figure out what concepts each student represented.

In class we discussed four different visual concepts of Gestalt.

I want you to choose one or more of those concepts in the composition of an image.

This image must also include a grid in some form or another.

There are no restrictions as to size and medium.

Please choose a medium you are familiar with rather then experimenting with something new.

Trace & Paint

ELEMENTS: Background/Foreground

Layering/Overlapping

Line/Shape

Negative Space

COLOR THEORY: Split Complimentary

Complimentary

Monochromatic

Low Key

Middle Key

High Key

Triad

Analogous Colors

Primary Colors

Secondary Colors

Tertiary Colors

MATERIALS: Two 8X10 sheets of mylar or transparency

Acrylic paint/brushes(each of you will be assigned a color to bring)

Thin permanent marker

two 22X30 sheets of Stonehenge

Magazines and books

On the first sheet of mylar trace images out of books or magazines to create a collection of abstract shapes. One way this can be achieved is by connecting partially traced objects together . The point is to not make recognizable objects. Fill your sheet full of lines and shapes.

On the second sheet of mylar you may create an illustration or use representational images. Do not trace an entire page from a magazine or book, make your own composition.

As you collect images think about what objects and shapes will be placed in the foreground and which ones will be partially hidden or may even intertwine with other objects and lines.

Tape off the edges of your 22X30 sheets of paper. Using a color palette of split complimentary colors (ex. red, blue-green, and yellow green) paint the background for each of the mylar images you have traced. The background you paint should not and does not have to correlate exactly. Just be aware that the traced image and the painted image will be merged together. You may paint in a very clean geometric manner or approach it in a more organic, blended manner or other endless ways.

Using a transparent projector, project each traced image onto a separate painted piece of Stonehenge. You may edit your traced lines, meaning you don’t have to trace all of them onto the painted Stonehenge if you feel the composition would be better without them. You may paint the lines or use a sharpie or a white paint pen. Think about whether you want the lines to stand out or blend in with the background.

This last step is to help meld and unify the painted background with the traced linear image. You will do this by painting into the traced image. This is not a paint by number so don’t feel restricted to painting within the lines but it is an option. Remember that cool colors recede and warm colors advance.

KEY STUDIES

Make 30 black and white photocopies of texture that are made up of a range of values from dark to light. Use the copy machine as a tool. Play with the settings, the scale and contrast and try to stumble upon some imagery and textures that appeal to your sensibilities. The photocopies will be used for a series of collages exploring the effect of contrast both on the composition of an image and its emotional potential.

HIGH CONTRAST: A COMBINATION OF LIGHT AND DARK VALUES

HIGH KEY: AN IMAGE THAT IS PREDOMINATELY LIGHT IN VALUE




LOW KEY: AN IMAGE THAT IS PREDOMINATELY DARK IN VALUE

Create five 6" X 6" grids using pencil, paper, and ruler.

You will use your photocopies to complete the following studies on each grid you have created by pasting 36 one inch square pieces to each of the grids.

1) High Key image

2) Low Key image

3) Middle Key image

4) High Contrast image
5) An image of your choice

*Don't just complete the assignment, but create something visually interesting. What you create with these will lead to another bigger more involved assignment.

RIPPLE EFFECT

The ripple effect is a term used to describe a situation where, like the ever expanding ripples across water when an object is dropped into it, an effect from an initial state can be followed outwards incrementally.

Concentric objects share the same center, axis or origin with one inside the other. Circles, tubes, cylindrical shafts, disks, and spheres may be concentric to one another. Concentric objects generally have different radii, as concentric objects with the same radius are equal.

One of the most familiar examples of concentric circles are the evenly spaced circles of a target used in target archery or firearms, and accordingly any concentric design may be called a "target" or a "bullseye" (after the center).

Anomaly=Deviation or departure from the normal or common order, form or rule.

You will start with a simple line. It could be organic or geometric in nature. You will then repeat that same line right next to the first. To break up the composition you may want to have a couple of "starting" lines. But the idea is that these lines will continue to expand outward. The space between the lines might vary to create a sense of value or depth. NO lines should cross over each other or touch each other. Please use a nice fine tipped pen. Do not have any recognizable imagery, this should be relatively abstract in nature. Repetition of line is definitely a key element. Don't let this image become stale, by creating an anomaly you will be able to keep the image fresh!